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February 26, 2014

Princess Half Expo - It was really fun this year!

After last year's fiasco at Coronado Springs, runDisney moved the Princess Half Expo back to the ESPN center and everything went smoothly. I arrived at the expo by noontime after my ridiculously early flight Thursday morning. It was simple getting through packet pickup for both myself and my sister with absolutely no lines.

The runDisney merchandise booth was not crowded at all, nor was the checkout area. After choosing a few items, I got in line and waited less than 10 minutes to purchase my race souvenirs. As always, there was a huge assortment of goodies including headbands, cups, shirts, jackets, pins, magnets, Vinylmation and of course the ever popular "I Did It" shirts.

I always buy the "I Did It" shirt. Someday I will make a quilt with them!

While shopping in the runDisney booth, one of our readers stopped me to say hi. Emily was running the half marathon and we chatted for a few minutes about race strategy and then parted ways.

Emily, ready for her first half marathon!

Don't you think Christine would look cute in this shirt!

This shirt was very tempting to buy for Christine, but I refrained....I knew she would never wear it and I am practical like that! Don't worry though, I found something she will really like at another booth! I spent a little more time wandering around the Expo checking out a few of my favorite booths and making several purchases. Those included Sparkle Skirts, runDisney, and Sparkle Athletic, where I chatted with the lovely Kelly and bought a skirt for my running coach. Of course I could not miss seeing the medals at the runDisney booth! They had some fun new buttons that they were giving away that could be personalized. I chose to have Glass Slipper Challenge written on my button.You can see it above in the photo with my Expo loot! Jeff Galloway was also there and I chatted with him for a few minutes and of course had the obligatory photo taken. He is always so smiley and happy!

Little did I know then that I would be spending alot of time with Jeff and his lovely wife Barbara on Sunday morning while running the Princess Half Marathon! After picking up my art card from Lasting Commemoratives, I left the Expo to grab a bus back to the resort. All in all, it had been a very pleasant two hours and I was ready for lunch, my room to be ready and a shake out run!
(Pam)

The expo was sooooooo much better than I imagined and so painless! Btw, I was the crazy girl who was "next" to you in line to purchase merchandise (and I bumped into again at the Team Sparkle booth). Thank you for being so nice and chatting with me! I can't wait to read your recaps and maybe next time I bump into you I won't be too chicken to ask for a picture :)

I went to the expo on Thursday night and there were no lines! It was fabulous. I didn't buy much, just a pin and a magnet so we were in and out very quickly. It's hard to Expo with a kiddo but it saved me money!

It was so good to see you Pam! We were pleasantly surprised how un-crowded the expo was and how quickly the lines moved as well. We did not remember seeing that particular "I did it" shirt. That one was probably one of the cutest ones!

Thanks Meranda. I loved getting a chance to chat with you and Lacey outside the expo. I have a feeling my "I Did It" shirt may have sold out quickly. I was not a fan of the GSC "I Did It" so I purchased the half one instead. By the way, there is merchandise available on the Disney store online from the race weekend in case you missed anything!

After hearing the horror stories from last year I was very pleased with how the expo went! I went Friday morning after the 5K and they were sold out of only a few things, I got just about everything I had wanted.

That is great Kristen. I was wondering how soon certain items were gone. With working the Sparkle Skirts booth Friday and Saturday mornings, my visit to the runDisney merchandise booth was only on Thursday at lunchtime when they were fully stocked.

Pam and Christine

About Pam and Christine

Hi there! We are a mother-daughter running team who have completed multiple marathons and half marathons all over the world. What started as a deal to run a half marathon together in Walt Disney World in 2011 has led us to California, Dublin, Boston, and beyond! Read more...